Barbados, the sunny and bright England of the Caribbean, offers the best of a beach destination with a British flair. Here, you’ll find calypso music, coral reefs, and a deeply entrenched maritime culture. But just about everyone plays Cricket and traditional English afternoon tea is revered here, too.

The British colonized Barbados in the 1620s and remained in power until the country achieved independence in 1966. Barbados remains part of the British Commonwealth and embraces their British heritage. As such, English is the primary language.

Located in the North Atlantic, just over 60 miles from the Windward Islands, Barbados sits just outside of the Atlantic hurricane belt. While hurricanes do occasionally occur there, the risk of encountering one is far less than in other popular Caribbean and North Atlantic island destinations. If you must take an island trip during hurricane season, Barbados is a less risky choice, but anything can happen.

Bajan cuisine is blended from the traditional cooking of African, European, Caribbean, and West Indian nations. As an island nation, seafood is a staple in Bajan cuisine. In the waters surrounding Barbados you’ll find shark, red snapper, dolphin, sea urchin, crabs, tuna and more.

The national dish, Cou Cou and Flying Fish, highlights both fish and produce grown on the island. The flying fish is served frequently in Barbados and is the fish the country is most known for. When served with cou cou, which is a mix of okra, cornmeal, and a few other ingredients, you have the national dish.

Exotic fruits and vegetables are abundant in the tropical climate. You can treat yourself to refreshing foods you may never have heard of such as cassava and pawpaw or select an exotic yet familiar fruit like mango or papaya.

A beach destination is generally a hit with kids and requires little planning from the adults. Barbados is no exception. With miles of pink and white sand beaches, all you have to do is grab the sunblock and some towels every morning and plop down on the beach for the day. You can swim with the kids in the turquoise waters or just let them play while you lounge nearby.

If you’re looking for something more than a beach vacation, Barbados has many options for you and your family. Orchid World botanical gardens hosts the largest collection of orchids in the West Indies. The family can enjoy exploring the winding paths among the flowers for a different view of nature than the beach offers.

At Harrison’s Cave, you can take a tour through the dark cave by tram. You’ll see and learn about stalactites and stalagmites, weave past waterfalls, and peek at the icicles that have formed overhead.

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